There are a number of things that make the province of Malaga unique: its landscapes, beaches, monuments, museums and gastronomy....but also its particular brand of Andalusian Spanish, with curious expressions and words.
We have selected 12 typically malagueño words to help you blend in, and to impress the locals.
- Alobao. When you got out of bed on the wrong side, and everything you touch goes wrong, it's because you are alobao.
- Farola. In Malaga, the lighthouse is not 'El Faro' as in the rest of Spain, but 'la Farola' the streetlight.
- Guarrito. This curious term refers to a typical DIY drill. It's hard to imagine, but it derives from the local mispronunciation of a brand name “warrintong”.
- Maharón. You're not just crazy around here, you're… maharón.
- Merdellón / merdellona. Watch out for this word if it is being used about you. It is used in Malaga in a fairly insulting way to describe someone who is vulgar and looking for trouble.
- Mitad. This is what you ask for to order a coffee with milk in Malaga.
- Nube. And this is a mild, milky coffee.
- Papafrita. This guy is a bit of a hopeless case, and is always getting into trouble.
- Pechá. You will hear this a lot in Malaga, It is a local way of expressing a large quantity of something. For example, 'pegarse una pechá de reír' is to have a good laugh at something.
- Perita. If you have had a good time in Malaga, it has been perita.
- Pollúo. Have you been working out for the summer? Did you get those muscles nicely toned? If you did, then you are pollúo.
- Torroles. This is how the locals refer to Torremolinos.
